By James Slater: David Haye, who last night failed to back up his monstrously offensive pre-fight boasts, is considering his boxing future right now. The 30-year-old, who went down a heavy points loser to Wladimir Klitschko in a fight that disappointed many, is also putting his poor showing down, at least in large part, to a toe injury he suffered in training.
Haye said post-fight that he was even considering pulling out with the busted toe – on his right foot – but that he thought adrenaline and the sheer buzz of the crowd and of the occasion would get him through the pain. As we know, he was wrong. But will the toe excuse possibly be accepted by the fans? BBC Sport briefly interviewed some British fans who had paid good money to be at ringside last night, and one fan was especially aggrieved, stating how he and his mates “believed in Haye” but were “conned” by a Haye who “never gave it a go.” Perhaps this is being overly harsh on Haye, but when one considers all the talk he gave before the fight (starting way, way back in 2008), it’s easy to understand the massive feeling of being let down many fans have.
Just like all the other Klitschko victims, Haye was simply unable to find a way to deal with “Dr. Steel Hammer’s” superb left jab and ability to control the distance in the ring. Haye gave it a go, in the last round especially, but he never went for broke. Had he done so, he may well have wound up in a position similar to that of Eddie Chambers or Tony Thompson. However, Wladimir never shone like a million dollars either, it must be said. Boxing conservatively and with his usual safety-first approach, Klitschko never came close to punishing Haye for all his pre-fight taunting. Klitschko did silence Haye though – perhaps even ending the Londoner’s career.
Haye fell over a number of times during last night’s fight (perhaps the toe injury had something to do with this?), and he looked despondent and even bemused on occasion. Klitschko, sporting a slight swelling underneath his left eye, was the boss throughout the 12-rounds, and it was apparent quite early that this was not going to be the “destruction” Haye had promised it would be. No classic by any means, last night’s fight will most likely be forgotten, with Klitschko moving on to his next defence and Haye most likely into retirement.
But who can Wladimir fight next? Last night’s fight was being referred to as his defining fight, and Wladimir may now take a look around and decide there is no-one worth fighting. Certainly no-one will ever anger and inspire him the way Haye did. Older brother Vitali faces Tomasz Adamek in September (another sure win for “Dr. Iron Fist,” at least on paper), and it might well be that after he takes care of the Polish hero, both brothers will decide to walk away, their legacy secure.
For so long now, the two siblings have dominated the heavyweight landscape. David Haye insisted he would change things, yet he failed as miserably as all the other Klitschko challengers from 2004 onwards have. The only satisfaction Haye took from last night’s loss is the fact that he never became Wladimir’s 50th KO victim. But Haye promised us so much more than that.